DERRY, Pa. -- A woman and her son in a stroller were struck by a train and killed in Derry Borough, Westmoreland County, while crossing tracks late Friday afternoon.
The victims were identified as 37-year-old Sheila Singer and 2-year-old John Smart.
County 911 said the incident occurred in the downtown area of Derry, behind the Dollar General store on South Chestnut Street.
Police said the family was taking a shortcut home from the grocery store.
"I had just come out of the drug store when I heard the wheels screeching, so in my heart I knew something had happened," said resident Eleanor Sisak.
Channel 4 Action News' Jen Miele reported that the Derry police chief saw the woman cross the tracks and tried to stop her, but his screams were not heard.
"He saw the train coming, tried to tell the woman not to cross the tracks. She continued to cross, he was unable to stop her and she was struck by a locomotive," said Dan Stevens, of Westmoreland County Public Safety.
Investigators said they believe the mother first walked a 4-year-old girl and her infant sister across the tracks before going back for her son in the stroller.
"The female was thrown approximately 50 feet from the point of impact. The child was thrown much further than that and had actually got swept under the train," said Westmoreland County Deputy Coroner Chris O'Leath.
Investigators said it appeared the stroller got stuck in the tracks.
"I'm feeling sick to my stomach. This is the second and third fatality since June," said Derry Mayor Susan Bortz. "What can you say? It's just one of the saddest days I've ever experienced."
In July, a 15-year-old boy was struck and killed by a train after leaving a grocery store in Derry.
According to a news release from the coroner's office, Douglas E. Albright Jr. was sitting on a bicycle on the south berm of the tracks when he was hit by a westbound Norfolk Southern train.
Derry Police Officer James Friscarella said that Albright was likely aware of one train heading in his direction as he crossed the tracks but probably didn't realize that a second train was heading toward him from the other direction.
Pedestrians are supposed to use a bridge to cross from the business to residential side, but many opt to cross the tracks as a shortcut.
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Derry Residents Want Change After 3 Train Deaths Since JulyPennDOT, Norfolk Southern and Bortz said they plan to hold a meeting to discuss the matter.
Norfolk Southern spokesman Rudy Husband told WTAE Channel 4, "We've had some good meeting with the mayor."
Husband declined to comment on any questions regarding funding.
"That's fully under the Public Utility Commission…the PUC handles the establishing of a public crossing," said Husband.
Police had vowed to cite those who did not use the crosswalk following Albright's death, but that measure has seemingly gone unenforced.
"Enough is enough. There's been too many too close. You can't put a price on somebody's life," said neighbor Debbie Rager.
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